Tower Construction crews have been hard at work, converting a former Kroger grocery store into a new Emagine Entertainment movie theater on Hayes Road at 23 Mile Road in Macomb Township. RAY SKOWRONEK -- THE MACOMB DAILY

• Auditoriums will feature setback front rows so every seat in the house has optimum viewing angles

• All theaters will be handicapped accessible and equipped with hearing impaired listening devices

• Giant in-lobby video boards showing trailers of upcoming films.

Emagine Macomb will create more than 50 new jobs, which is good news for the Macomb Township community.

“I am thrilled that Emagine is moving into our community,” said Macomb Township Supervisor Janet Dunn. “What else could have gone in that site once Kroger left other than something large such as a theater or an exercise facility. It probably would have become a blight on the township.”

This past February, Kroger opened its new Marketplace store directly across Hayes Road at 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township. Construction crews began working on the Emagine site a few months ago.

Glantz has said the company had a goal of expanding its trade area on the east side. He said the Grosse Pointes-St. Clair Shores-Eastpointe area is underserved by the lack of quality movie theater.

The company had been actively seeking a site in southeast Macomb County after ruling out locations on 13 Mile and Little Mack in Roseville, 12 Mile and Little Mack in St. Clair Shores, and property in Grosse Pointe. Emagine unexpectedly pulled out of the Roseville location this past summer.

At some point, Glantz met with the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development and the county executive’s office to find another location. After more analysis, they centered in on the vacant Kroger land in Macomb Township.

John Paul Rea, a senior planner for the county, said the theater provides an entertainment destination for communities north of Hall Road.

“We definitely tip our cap to the incredibly creative job they’ve done in terms in terms of construction and filling a real estate need,” Rea said. “Rather than going out to look for a vacant greenfield, they took an old store and ultimately retrofitted it into a use that likely will be very successful.”

“We kept our eyes open for a site, passing along the information for them to consider,” Hackel said. “Our planning department stepped up their game to provide assistance. This is a great example of re-purposing a building.”

Emagine is not receiving any financial breaks or tax incentives for the project, county officials said.

Movie-goers looking for a meal before or after a movie will also have new dining choices in the area.

A new Culver’s restaurant recently opened on 23 Mile Road east of Hayes in Shelby Township, as did a new Art & Jake’s Sports Bar & Grill.

Art & Jake’s owner Victor Trpcevski said he was not aware a new movie theater was in the works when he purchased the vacant land for his 10,000-square-foot bar, but it’s a pleasant surprise. Art & Jake’s has an extensive menu offering gourmet burgers, wraps, pizza, salads, and ethnic dishes.

“There’s nothing out here like our place,” Trpcevski said. “We put food first and drinks second. Anyone going to or coming from a movie will find great food and a relaxing atmosphere here.”